“BALTIMORE’S OWN GIFTED GUARTIST WILL BE A HOUSEHOLD WORD”

Hello everyone, I hope you have enjoyed your summer season so far, but it is not over yet. I have been checking out a lot of the local night clubs more than usual. Not only for my new book sales, but because it has been jumping with some great live entertainment. I was recently at Maceo’s and I saw and heard a guitarist named Jay Alan Thompson, who made you think that you were in a honeymoon suite with the sounds he was producing from the strings on his guitar, if you know what I mean. Honey Child! I still feel tingling down my spine and it has been over a week. Girlfriend! Take my word for it, the man is gifted. I was truly impressed as well as the rest of the patrons. Jay was one of Phil Butts’ musicians that night. Ladies, not only is Jay Thompson awesome playing the guitar, but he is good looking, too, very pleasing to the eyes. Let me tell you a little more about this musician.

Jay attended Howard University and Rutgers University; eventually earning two degrees from Howard University—a bachelor of music-jazz studies and master of music-guitar. His style can best be described as an intense blending to blues, jazz, Latin, r&b, gospel, rock, and classical. Major influences include: B.B. King, Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Wes Montgomery, Miles Davis, Oscar Peterson, Beethoven, Brahms, Walter Hawkins and Carlos Santana, just to name a few. The next time you hear the name playing with any group, check him out. I promise, you won’t be disappointed.

Speaking of Phil Butts, Larry Washington, one of the long-time members of the Arch Social Club on Pennsylvania Avenue is hosting a nice event at the club on Aug. 25 from 5 to 9 p.m. Your ticket will include live entertainment by Phil Butts’ Sunshine Band, food and access to a cash bar. This event is a fundraiser to help with the continue renovations that are being done.

The Enoch Lodge of Perfection; Most Worshipful Hiram Grand Lodge is hosting their Annual Crab Feast on Aug. 25, 4-9 p.m. at Tall Cedars Hall, 2501 Putty Hill Avenue. They have a huge hot and cold buffet including: crab cakes, crab soup, shrimp creole, beef, fresh ham, smoked country ham, BBQ ribs, fried chicken, potato salad, macaroni salad, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, vegetables, free beer, iced tea, coffee and soda and hot steamed crabs. For ticket information, call Jessie Boyd at 410-298-0319. The proceeds from this event provide scholarship funds to individuals who have excelled in high school and contributed to the community with an ultimate goal of attending college to obtain a higher education degree. The Enoch Lodge of Perfection #1 is a non-profit

Scottish Rite group working under The Most Worshipful Hiram Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. The Lodge serves as an arm of finance to the community of Baltimore through tuition scholarships and stipends for books.

FYI- Jeff Sewell, commander of the Sons, American Legion located at151 Winters Lane in Catonsville hosts a “Crab Night” every Wednesday night starting at 7 p.m. Ronald Alston, Sr., is the Post Commander.

Look out folks! “The original Time Tunnel” is coming live with the “High Priest of Soul, ” JB Brown, I know you remember him from the radio station, WEBB and others, playing the 50, 60’s and 70’s music on the turntable. Well, he is going to meet and greet you in person again spinning your favorite Line Dance music, hand dance or just do the jitter-bug at the Crystal Ballroom, located in the Days Inn Hotel, 8712 Loch Raven Blvd in Towson, Md. on Aug. 31, 8 p.m. until 1 a.m.

The ticket includes food, cash bar and vendors. For more information, call 443-425-8739.

Well, my dear friends, I will be at the Odyssey Lounge on Pressman Street with my new book from 5 to 6 p.m. if you live in west Baltimore or are driving around the city during that time, come on by and get your autographed book. In the meantime, you be good to yourself and others. If you need me, call me at 410-833-9474 or email me at rosapryor@aol.com. UNTIL THE NEXT TIME, I’M MUSICALLY YOURS.